April 22, 2019
"17th Anniversary Issue"

Short

He inventoried his armament. He had the courage; he had the determination. He had the vision of his destination, and he knew he had the strength to succeed. His equipment was sound, his supplies were adequate. He was prepared, he was chosen, and he needed nothing more to set out on the journey ...

The look in his eyes was serious, but filled with promise. But it was a promise that seemed to come from farther away than Jim had ever imagined. He was afraid of that pledge, but far more afraid of not taking that first step ...

If you live in an isolated little town, you can get very comfortable being like everyone else. They see the same sights, they speak the same language, they know where everything in town is supposed to be. However, if you step outside the isolation, and keep on traveling, after a while you know that if you ever go back to your home town, the people there might not even recognize who you are ...

There are beliefs that are unshakable. These require no act of faith; they are simply there, from the heart out, and no argument or gesture or demonstration can disprove them, not even when the believer wants desperately to be convinced that things can be different ...

In life, in personal relationships, every second counts. Often we don't believe that ... until it's too late.

She had no idea what to tell him or what to say to him, she couldn't feel more unequal to what lay ahead. He wasn't quite sure what he could tell her. They hoped that the love they shared would be enough to carry them through this meeting ...

A day a little different from any other; a day no different than any other. A day to reach out in kindness; a day to turn away from the darkness of the past. Each day is like that, making a decision to be as good as you know the rest of the world wants you to be ...

Sometimes we forget to ask, "What's your name?" -- even when we want to know someone better ... and is that because the question in our hearts is "What's your real name?"...

He found a world of purpose, of strength, a world that could engage his whole mind. And his heart...

Compared to the Game, real life is a disappointment. Well, except for certain rare occasions ...

Inexplicable, inexorable ... only those who witnessed the Singularity truly understood the meaning of those words.

Something draws near when a writer flexes his fingers and begins to draw upon his own past for words ... the words are easy, but what is it that they evoke?

At the last moment, you can change your mind -- but so can Fate ... and maybe Fate knows what you intended in the first place ...

Some may call that beautiful sound the "music of the spheres" and others may call it the "echoes of creation" but Jimbo is about to find out whose voice it really is ...

Was it really a mixup, or did she have that planned all along?

When all that is left is what needs to be, a kind of action may be ready to take place ...

Just because you're little doesn't mean everyone is going to protect you, and maybe if you've been entrusted with an important task, you shouldn't let yourself get sidetracked into another ... (Originally appeared 2008-05-26)

The journey may be long, and who knows what one will encounter along the way? What is known is that the journey is made alone ...

Comics

Butler Fork Trail to Dog Lake, in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, USA.

Butler Fork trail to Dog Lake high up in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah.

A view of the Sundial Peaks across Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.

Trail in the Sourland Preserve, New Jersey, USA.

Trail along the Ramapo River in South Mountain Reservation in New Jersey, USA.

Grafitti in a green glade.

An intimate glimpse of one of Chas Wallace's prized fountain pens.

A forest trail near Jockey Hollow, in the Watchung Mountains in New Jersey, USA.

Lone Peak Wilderness Area, Utah, USA.

Peaceful autumn in Millcreek Canyon, Grandeur Peak hike, Utah, USA.

Millcreek Canyon, Grandeur Peak, Utah, USA.

Bare trees are transformed by winter's decoration.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA.

Essay

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Or wait, is that actually supposed to read "A thing of beauty is a nervous breakdown in the making"?

Nonfiction

Each kind of ink has its own characteristics. In this series, Chas Wallace introduces our readers to the 'flavor' of the fountain pen ink "Diamine Blue Black."

Just the thing for a lunch, waiting for Spring to catch up with the calendar!

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm headed to Mr. Wallace's house for dinner!

Opinion

Chas Wallace reviews another fountain pen ink, this time J. Herbin's Eclat de Saphir.

Chas Wallace explores ink in search of the perfect black ink for use in fountain pens.

Chas Wallace samples the translucent quality of the ink, "Mont Blanc".

Chas Wallace continues on his quest for the perfect ink for fountain pens.

Chas Wallace continues his search for the best black ink for use in fountain pens.

Chas Wallace investigates yet another black ink, this time J. Harbin's Perle Noire.

Chas Wallace continues his search for the best fountain pen ink.

Chas Wallace continues his search for the perfect fountain pen ink with a test of Caran d'Ache.

Chas Wallace reviews the document quality ink "De Atramentis."

With the eye of an expert, Chas Wallace discovers something interesting about Yard-O-Led Jet Black ink.

Chas Wallace may have found the black in of his dreams in "Sailor Black."

Chas Wallace tries out the Japanese ink "Platinum" and begins to categorize his discoveries.

Chas Wallace recommends the ink "Pelikan Brilliant Black."

First of all, how could you not like an ink called "The Heart of Darkness?"

Not at all black, but rather sepia in tone, "Lie de The" appeals somehow to Chas Wallace.

Chas Wallace turns from his search for the perfect black ink to a new shade: blue black, from Noodler's Ink.

A bee lands on your arm. Think before you act, but don't spend your youth in thought before you get that bug off ...

Chas Wallace has the opportunity to try out some white ink.